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SPRUNG BY AN ANGEL
by Wendy Kleker
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

Peter was in prison again, for the third time since the death of his Lord. A few days earlier he stood in the crowd and watched as soldiers beheaded James the brother of John, by the command of Herod. Now Herod, having won the favor of the Jewish leaders with the execution of James, had commanded Peter to be put to death by the sword. However, it was Passover and there could be no slayings on Passover, so Herod put Peter in prison with 16 soldiers guarding him. Herod wanted to make sure that Peter’s friends would not spring him from jail, as it seemed they had done before.

Actually, it had been an angel who opened the prison doors for the apostles, and commanded they go preach words of life in the synagogue. To assure this did not happen again the guards had Peter take off his clothes and sandals, bound him in chains and two guards lay down beside him with more guarding the door.

Therefore, the last night of his life, Peter lay on the hard floor of the prison with hardly any clothes on his body and his feet and hands bound in heavy chains. The next morning he would be taken out before a crowd on the street, commanded to kneel, the sword would rise and his head would roll.

The end was near. Would it hurt? He must have wondered. Would it be quick? Would he be in the presence of His Lord and Savior in an instant? Stephen had seen the Lord standing on the right side of His Father just before he had been hit by the lethal rock, which ended his life. Would Peter see Jesus, his friend and teacher waiting for him?

What were Peter’s thoughts that night as he lay between the soldiers? Was he afraid? I would have been shaking so bad the chains would have rattled. Was he praying? I would have been praying and begging God the whole night through. Was he going over his life, making sure he had everything in order and his heart right with God? I would have been writing out my will and praying for salvation.

Peter was in dire straights. Granted he had seen miracles, but God had not delivered James, or Stephen from death. God might not deliver Peter. He might call Peter home. This could be his time to die. This very likely could be his last night on earth. Fear. Heart-pounding-spine-tingling-hair-raising fear should have kept him awake.

However, Peter was not doing any of these things and he was not laying awake. It says he was sleeping! Yes sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers. How in the world on the night before his head was to be cut off was he sleeping? And not just dozing either. He was in a deep sleep.

In the darkness of the cell, a bright light appeared and an angel of the Lord stood beside Peter, but Peter slept on. The angel had to strike him on the side to wake him up, and still Peter was groggy. The angel picked Peter up, the chains fell off Peter’s limp form and the angel said, “Wake up Peter! Stand up! Be strong! What’s the matter with you, come on get your sandals on, put your clothes on, we have to move, man!”

Peter had been sleeping so soundly and was so groggy that he thought it was all a dream and not really happening. Now that is trust.

“Be anxious for nothing,”

Be anxious for nothing means NOTHING! Even in dire straights; even when everything looks bleak and dark; even when fear pumps through me; even when going through a great loss; even in chains facing execution; even facing grave danger.

“In EVERYTHING with prayer and thanksgiving pour out your heart to God.” Give it to the God of the Universe. Put it in the hands of the King of Kings. Leave it there. And go to sleep. A sleep so deep the brilliant light of an angel in the dark of night doesn’t wake you.

Every time I doubt, every time I worry, every time I am afraid, EVERY single time I need to give it to Him. Letting God be God, letting Him take care of it, leaning on him, believing He will deliver me, either here on earth or in Heaven. Not worrying, not fretting, not doubting, but praying and believing. Every time. That is trust.

“And God’s peace that is beyond all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Like the manna that the Israelites gathered each morning just enough for each person for that day, God gives me just enough peace for the moment, not enough for tomorrow, or even for an hour from now. Peter had enough peace to fall asleep in a dark, dank cell with no clothes, chains on his arms and feet, and a death sentence looming. That’s the peace that guarded his heart and mind that night. That’s the peace that floods my heart when I trust Him.

“With thanksgiving–” Giving thanks, I feel, is the key to the peace that passes all understanding. If I am thankful, I have a hard time fretting. If I can say thank you for not only the answer I am hoping for, but for whatever He brings or allows, I will not doubt. That is trust.

Peter’s friends stayed awake all night praying, probably not necessary, they could have gone to sleep. They prayed all night yet, when Rhoda told them the one they prayed for was at the door, they thought she was crazy. “Your beyond yourself,” they said, “You are dreaming! It must be his angel and he is dead.” They did not really believe God would answer their prayers.

How typical is this of me? I pray and don’t really believe God will answer. I don’t trust. I need to be like Peter, give it to God, leave it there and go to sleep. Not pray and stay awake all night fretting and worrying. Pray and let it go. Give it to God and go to sleep. Every time. That’s trust.

“Surely he will never be shaken. The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord. His heart is established. He will not be afraid.” Ps. 112:7

Read Acts 12:1-18